Manoa, Hawaii –As FestPAC goes on, several nations have performed traditional dances and exhibited a variety of objects that represent their national cultures. The young female dancers of the Yap delegation were led by Mr. Jeffrey Marbey, the Historic Preservation Officer of the Department of Youth and Civic Affairs (DYCA), on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Holding the Yap State flag, Yap's Youth of the Year, Maphrick Ruweday, joined them on stage to execute a traditional Yapese dance. After the show, Mr. Marbey explained the significance of the Leebirang, the traditional sitting dance performed that depicts the tale of a half-human, half-ghost creature from heaven who descended to Earth to observe all the Yap dances. Mr. Marbey carried on talking about the different kinds of dances for both men and women in Yap, noting that each dance tells a story, such as the histories and experiences of the Yapese people. These stories are also accompanied by significant hand and head movements.
In the evening, the Yap delegates and the Yapese community in Oahu held a meeting at the University of Hawai’i parking lot to congratulate the dancers for their performance and to discuss the profit amount of $2,511.00 generated from the Yap booth, where items donated by the Yapese Community were sold. The funds raised were allocated to the Yap delegates to support their activities and needs. This meeting highlighted the strong community spirit and mutual support within the Yapese community.
(For further details, please contact DYCA at (691)350-2168. Thank you.)
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